by Liz H.
Member since:
July 30, 2008

Genre Shorties Wk 82: Dragon’s Home

October 03, 2011 03:02 PM UTC
views: 0 | 16 people recommend this | comments: 35

It came, not by UPS, or USPS, nor even a blanket-covered basket on my doorstep. It--or rather, she--came with autumn.

My leather-gloved hands swept up an armful of wildflower and weeds turned to rustling straw; this is my part of the bargain that brings spring back to Minnesota, and clears the way for the potato harvest, before red squirrels find them.

I didn’t expect her there among the weeds. Green scales, chirp like a pennywhistle, eyes whirling crimson, gold, and burnt orange.  No bigger than my thumb, but such a smile!

I held her warmth in my hand.

 

Liz Husebye Hartmann  (100 words)

 

Kay M's Prompt:

Your story may be serious or lighthearted or as silly as you like just so long as it is 100 words or less and written for the following  prompt:

You've received a surprise package in the mail and experienced quite a reaction to the contents. What was in the package? How did you react to the contents and why did you react that way? In honor of the season, try to include a fall color like crimson, gold or burnt orange in your story.

Weekly reminder:don't forget to recommend an article that you like (to learn why, read Ann Marcaida's article Attract More Writers and Artists to Gather!)...  Also try to place a comment on at least one article and say more than you liked the piece.  

Comments: 35

Kasey Klein Oct 3, 2011, 3:16pm UTC

Thanks for posting to Short Story and More!
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:25pm UTC
You're welcome!
Kay M Oct 3, 2011, 3:31pm UTC
Great write Liz. I'm already so pleased and surprised at the different directions the stories are taking. Opening each story has been like opening a little surprise package for me.
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:26pm UTC
Evidence of a genious Promtess!
David W. Oct 3, 2011, 4:01pm UTC
Beautiful post.
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:26pm UTC
Thank you.
Angela A. Oct 3, 2011, 4:07pm UTC
Well, I am at a loss for words. Congrats. He, he
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Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:27pm UTC
You never know what's going to pop up in the garden come October!
Pam Brittain Oct 3, 2011, 4:38pm UTC
Great story. I wanted to say something off the wall, but won't - I liked the story that much.
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:27pm UTC
I am honored! ;)
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:27pm UTC
YW
JOHN BECK Oct 3, 2011, 7:17pm UTC
A minidragon! Cool!
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:28pm UTC
..At least until her flame-ability develops, at around 6-8 months.
Jan S. Oct 4, 2011, 1:54am UTC
I love this. It is very visual. You've described this so well that I see it like a movie. Thanks for posting to All About Autumn
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:28pm UTC
Thanks, Jan!
A. F. Stewart Oct 4, 2011, 5:06pm UTC
A wonderful story.
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:29pm UTC
Thank you, A.F.
Tracy Fabre Oct 5, 2011, 11:58am UTC
Ooh! Ooh! What will you name her? And how fast does she grow? Will you need a bigger house?
Liz H. Oct 5, 2011, 3:32pm UTC
This and my Gather Writing Essentials post are rewrites of the start of a long-ago, previously rejected story. She did grow, her name was Heart, and the house wasn't so much the problem as the front basket of my bike becoming too small, and the suburban setting of my house...
;-)
Sheila Deeth Oct 5, 2011, 7:39pm UTC
Very cool! A miniature tale and a miniature dragon.
Liz H. Oct 7, 2011, 9:00am UTC
We hope later on that he can help me toast some miniature marshmallows.... ;^)
Toni V. Oct 7, 2011, 1:25am UTC
Great story, Liz. I love her name!
Liz H. Oct 7, 2011, 9:00am UTC
Thank you, Toni!
Patricia J. Oct 8, 2011, 1:07pm UTC
This is a great shortie, Liz, and from the direction of all of the comments I'm not the only one who wants to know more! Are you sure it's not time to dust off that rejected story and rework it?
Liz H. Oct 11, 2011, 3:52am UTC
LOL, it's on my list... :^)
G.M. Jackson Oct 8, 2011, 9:36pm UTC
Now that was like reading a classical novel but shorter.
Liz H. Oct 11, 2011, 3:58am UTC
For a little more, click here .
Crystal C. Oct 9, 2011, 4:20pm UTC
I always love it when surprises are magical. :)
Liz H. Oct 11, 2011, 3:59am UTC
Go look in your garden now!
Crystal C. Oct 13, 2011, 8:11pm UTC
There's the disappearing and reappearing frog, at least ... ;D
Marianne K. Oct 10, 2011, 4:41am UTC
YES, a magical find told so wondrously poignant and believable...well, who wouldn't want to be gifted with a baby dragon named 'Heart', who warms your hand and your heart in the blink of an eye!

Gorgeous tale :)
Liz H. Oct 11, 2011, 3:59am UTC
Thank you, Marianne!
Mustafa Demiri Oct 12, 2011, 9:29pm UTC
A thing of beauty is a joy forever... except for when they get very big and start terrorizing the neighbours... and eating their pets.

Dragons can be problematic.

BTW ~ I do love your story.
Liz H. Oct 15, 2011, 10:01am UTC
Thank you, Mustafa!
A joy forever indeed...just so long as they don't eat the kids!

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